The grand chessboard

Love him or hate him, the Polish born, US National Security Advisor under President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 89. Zbigniew Brzezinski was no doubt one of the key figures in American hegemonic power, and his words will long echo in the corridors of international relations and diplomacy. Born into the diplomatic family, Brzezinski’s father was in the Polish diplomatic service, giving Brzezinski the roots that led him to his career, first advising Kennedy, then Johnson, before joining Carter’s team.

US sanctions on Nicaragua?

Donald Trump’s presidency in the US seems to have given the republican lawmakers a new lease on life. Many GOP-drafted bills that were brought to a halt during former president Barack Obama’s term, have been reintroduced since January 20 when Trump took charge of the White House. And the ‘Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act’ is one of them. Republican senator Ted Cruz who was the co-sponsor of the legislation alongside 2 House representatives, said in an April a tweet: “This legislation would direct the United States to use our voice and vote at international financial institutions to oppose loans for the government of Nicaragua until President Ortega’s regime is held accountable for its oppressive policies and anti-democratic actions.”